Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh

India

The treepie was so far away, I needed to crop this image heavily. Click on image.

The rufous treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda) is a treepie, native to the Indian Subcontinent and adjoining parts of Southeast Asia. It is a member of the crow family, Corvidae. It is long tailed and has loud musical calls making it very conspicuous. It is found commonly in open scrub, agricultural areas, forests as well as urban gardens. Like other corvids it is very adaptable, omnivorous and opportunistic in feeding.

The sexes are alike and the main colour of the body is cinnamon with a black head and the long graduated tail is bluish grey and is tipped in black. The wing has a white patch. The bill is stout with a hooked tip. The underparts and lower back are a warm tawny-brown to orange-brown in colour with white wing coverts and black primaries. The bill, legs and feet are black.

The range of the rufous treepie is quite large, covering Pakistan, India and into Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. It inhabits open forest consisting of scrub, plantations and gardens.

The rufous treepie is primarily an arboreal omnivore feeding on fruits, nectar, seeds, invertebrates, small reptiles and the eggs and young of birds; it has also been known to take flesh from recently killed carcasses. The rufous treepie has a wide repertoire of calls, but a bob-o-link or ko-tree call is most common. – Wikipedia

Ten Lessons from the American Robin

1. It’s good to be common

The American Robin is one of the most common and widespread native birds in North America. This large population gives robins great resilience in the face of ecological and climatic challenges.

Build the movement!

2. Adapt to where you are

Robins are found from steamy southern swamps to the Alaskan tundra. Their remarkable ability to adapt to local conditions and resources is the secret of their success.

Frame your message with regard to local conditions

3. And also have one special skill

For all their adaptability, robins also have a specialized skill: their earthworm-hunting behavior, which opens up a rich resource few other birds exploit.

Know your special talent and make the most of it

4. ‑Figure out how to take advantage of the dominant paradigm

Robins thrive in part because of their ability to make the most of human environments, nesting in our backyards and foraging on our lawns.

Don’t be afraid to make alliances and to engage with mass media

5. Be alert for phonies

Robins are among the few birds able to detect and toss out the eggs of the parasitic Brown-headed Cowbird, thus protecting their nests from invaders.

Welcome only those who truly share your values

6. Know when to move on

Throughout their wide range, robins exhibit facultative migration – that is, they adjust their winter residency to conditions. In a cold winter, they head south; if the next year is mild, they may remain resident all year.

Know when to stage a tactical retreat, in order to win another time

7. Produce lots of young

Robins often produce two broods of offspring per year. That gives them a huge advantage compared to less fecund species.

There’s no substitute for the energy and idealism of the young when building a movement.

8. Be confident

Robins are often described as “bold,” “confident,” and “confiding,” in contrast to related birds like the shy Varied Thrush. There is no doubt that the outgoing behavior of robins has contributed greatly to their success.

Believe in your cause whole-heartedly, and others will too.

9. Be friendly

In addition to their boldness, robins appeal to us because they’re friendly – even if they’re keeping us company in the garden in order to snatch up earthworms!

A friendly, positive approach will gain many more listeners than one wrapped in doom and gloom.

10. Sing!

For many of us, the rich warbling song of the robin announces the arrival of spring, lifting our spirits after the hard winter. Isn’t a beautiful message what we all want to hear?

No matter what, sing!

Pepper Trail is a naturalist and writer in Ashland, Oregon.

Life rarely goes exactly as we map it out. Storms will come, sometimes without warning, tearing through the neat structures we've built. And while we can't stop the chaos or control the timing, we can always choose how we respond.

Do we let frustration hold us back, or do we find strength in adaptability? The storms that disrupt our plans often uncover what’s truly important—they teach us to focus on what matters and to let go of what doesn’t. Even in the midst of uncertainty, there’s an opportunity to grow, to learn, and to discover clarity.

It’s not about avoiding the storms; they’re inevitable. It’s about standing firm in who we are when the winds howl and embracing the beauty in change.

Because while best laid plans may falter, resilience carries us forward—and sometimes, the unexpected creates something even better than what we imagined. ✨

Luane's World

Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)

In the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a lesser-known but equally captivating spectacle unfolds - the life of the local boat vendors.

Between the 1,600 islands and islets, these vendors navigate their boats through the maze of towering limestone karsts. Their lives, intricately intertwined with the bay, are shaped by the rhythms of the sea and the tourism that the area’s stunning geography attracts.

This snapshot captures one such vendor. Much like the others, her boat is often filled with local produce, handmade crafts, and beverages - a floating marketplace that provides a livelihood to many families in the region.

In this harsh yet beautiful environment, everyday life continues. As evidenced by her sleeping daughter, nestled among the goods, these vendors create a delicate balance of work and family, resilience and tenderness.

These are the untold stories of Ha Long Bay - a testimony to human adaptability, the endurance of local communities, and their symbiotic relationship with nature's grandeur.

Alloy Jack by James Murray

From the website:

The Jack Rabbit or hare is an incredibly hardy wild animal which is highly adaptable and like most metals can endure the harshest of climates. AJ is coated in an organic brass paint and stands proud and strong in its environment as a heroic sculpture.

There is a new art trail in Southampton and Winchester this summer. For ten weeks Hares of Hampshire will bring thirty-two large hares and forty-two leverets to the streets, parks, galleries and shops of the two cities.

All money raised by donations and by the auction of the hares at the end of the summer will go to the Murray Parish Trust.

Tide pools are home to very adaptable species, as the shifting cycles of tides means that they must survive both under and above water, in sun and wind, as well as in strong and mild currents! Seaweed, lichen, crabs, mussels, anemone, abalone and many more species of plants and animals live there.

Tamarisks are plants that are frequently found in coastal environments and that tolerate saltiness and sandy soils well. Insalty ones, and contribute to the consolidation of dunes and protection from the winds. Their ability to resist saltiness and sandy soils make them ideal plants for life near the sea.

Therefore, when we talk about "tamarisks queens of the sea", we are probably referring to their importance as plants that dominate the coastal landscape, thanks to their adaptability to this type of environment

The wild boar (Sus scrofa), also known as the wild swine,

Eurasian wild pig, or simply wild pig, is a suid native to much of Eurasia, North Africa, and the Greater Sunda Islands. Human intervention has spread its distribution further, making the species one of the widest-ranging mammals in the world, as well as the most widely spread suiform. Its wide range, high numbers, and adaptability mean that it is classed as least concern by the IUCN and it has become an invasive species in part of its introduced range. The animal probably originated in Southeast Asia during the Early Pleistocene, and out-competed other suid species as it spread throughout the Old World.

MtDNA studies indicate that the wild boar originated from islands in Southeast Asia such as Indonesia and the Philippines, and subsequently spread onto mainland Eurasia and North Africa. The earliest fossil finds of the species come from both Europe and Asia, and date back to the Early Pleistocene. By the late Villafranchian, S. scrofa largely displaced the related S. strozzii, a large, possibly swamp-adapted suid ancestral to the modern S. verrucosus throughout the Eurasian mainland, restricting it to insular Asia. Its closest wild relative is the bearded pig of Malacca and surrounding islands.

For more information, please visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_boar

Photographed in Samburu, Kenya from a safari vehicle

Please click twice on the image to view the largest size

Check out that rear-facing spur on the bird's right leg and you can understand why it also has the name, Yellow-necked Spurfowl.

Thank you for your visit!

===============

From Wikipedia: The yellow-necked spurfowl or yellow-necked francolin (Pternistis leucoscepus) is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. This species is named for the yellow patch found on its neck. Males of this species have been noted to have spurs on the back of their legs.

Behavior:

It has been noted that this bird is most active at dawn and dusk. The bird is also noted to be very adaptable, it can continue to live in land after agriculture begins, it only leaves lands when heavy human occupation begins.

Afr-0I7A2656fFlkrD

I get wet.

The Lesser Flamingo is the smallest of the Flamingos and they outnumber all the other Flamingos, it is estimated that there are about 5 million of them throughout the world. They are also the most common Flamingos in captivity due to their ability to adapt well in that situation and can live peacefully alongside other types of Flamingos. These Flamingos grow to around 3 feet tall and only weight about 4 pounds, they are fully grown when they reach 2 years of age, and also the males are usually taller than the female. A feature these Flamingos have is the black tip to their bill which is designed to allow them to bend their head backwards and to feed through a filtering system, they feed for around 20% of their day and their diet consists of blue and green algae, crustaceans and a variety of small insects. They are very noisy birds and some colonies have thousands of birds, and an amazing fact is that wherever they are they can recognise the sound of their young. They are excellent swimmers and can fly for long distances in a V formation. When they make their nests they make them quite high off the ground to hopefully keep their nest and eggs safe in case of flooding.

Pisces. 🐠

Artistic. Independend. Emotionally sensitive. Intuitive. Gracious. Unselfish. Imaginative. Compassionate. Romantic. Adaptable.

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The Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) is a small, colorful songbird found throughout Central and South America, particularly in open fields, scrublands, and agricultural areas. It is easily recognizable by its rufous-colored neck patch, black-and-white striped head, and contrasting white underparts. Known for its melodic song, the Rufous-collared Sparrow is highly adaptable, often seen in both rural and urban environments. It feeds primarily on seeds, but will also eat small insects and fruits, and is a common sight in a variety of habitats from lowland regions to mountainous areas.

Red-eyed Treefrogs are a common species throughout most of their range. They are an extremely adaptable species that can be found in disturbed areas where secondary forest is present. Like related frogs in the genus Phyllomedusa, this species prefers the hand-over-hand method of movement over hopping.

The red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is a striking bird native to North America, commonly found in eastern forests, woodlands, and suburban areas. It boasts a bold, zebra-like pattern of black-and-white bars across its back and wings, measuring about 9 to 10 inches long with a wingspan of 13 to 17 inches.

Despite its name, the red belly is a subtle, often overlooked feature—a faint rosy blush on its lower abdomen. Far more prominent is the vivid red cap adorning the male’s head, stretching from beak to nape, while females sport red only on the nape and a gray crown. Its sturdy, chisel-like beak is perfect for drumming on trees and excavating nests in dead wood. Agile and acrobatic, it clings to trunks with zygodactyl feet—two toes forward, two back (see photo)—while probing for insects, seeds, or fruit. Its call, a rolling “churr” or sharp “kwirr,” echoes through its habitat.

Its adaptability to human-altered landscapes makes it a familiar sight at backyard feeders, delighting observers with its vibrant presence. I find it prefers suet and black-oil sunflower seeds.

Our beautiful world, pass it on.

The Woodland Kingfisher (Halcyon senegalensis) is common across sub-Saharan Africa, occupying a wide variety of woodland and savanna habitats. It is quite an adaptable hunter, feeding mainly insects but also small vertebrates, such as fish, snakes and even other birds! It is an intra-African migrant, arriving in southern Africa around September-December, breeding then leaving for Central Africa around March-April. It usually nests in tree cavities, either natural or excavated by barbets or woodpeckers, laying 2-4 eggs incubated by both sexes. The chicks grow rapidly, cared for by both parents, leaving the nest at about 18-24 days old. They remain dependent on their parents for about 5 more weeks after fledging, after which they usually disperse.

This lovely Woodland Kingfisher was photographed on a bird walk at Lake Baringo, Kenya.

The Vizsla is listed #32 on the AKC list of most popular dog breeds in 2021

Brahman Hybrid Cow Closeup ----By combining the hardiness and adaptability of Brahmans with the meat quality of traditional beef breeds, ranchers can produce cattle that thrive in diverse environments while yielding high-quality beef.

My first encounter with Ameles spallanzania (male) 😍 a very small insect but an incredible predator widespread throughout the Mediterranean Coast. Doing some research I discovered that recently the European dwarf mantis has be found also in continental area. This species shows adaptable life-cycle strategies in different habitats and extreme climatic conditions: so amazing! I found some photos showing the female that cannibalize the male during mating, similarly to the common Praying mantis. Despite it's natural and ecological role, when I carefully laid the mantid on my hand he showed a very quiet behavior 😊

A White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) buck from Adams County, Colorado.

Today starts a long series of white-tailed deer images. To start I present this majestic buck beneath an ancient cottonwood where the prairie meets the wood along a stream snaking through the plain.

For many years my main focus in my photographic pursuits was to capture as much diversity as I could. I keep lists of the number of species of various taxa that I have photographed, and I felt incredible drive to add to it. The past few years, however, I've honed in on focusing on a few species, and trying to capture a variety of images in different settings and styles, hoping I might be lucky enough to capture some interesting behavior. And while I still photograph new things when and where I can, increasing my time spent with these subject species has allowed me a fascinating glimpse into their world.

Of these species, it is the white-tailed deer that I have devoted the most time to. I have always had a passing interest in deer, however the time I've spent observing and photographing them over the past few years has afforded me a whole new appreciation and passion for their ecology and life history; for their athletic prowess, strength, and agility; for their adaptability and cunning; and for so much more that makes the whitetail among the most respected, revered, and sought after species in the country.

The title I chose for this image may seem odd, at first, however it becomes less so when one learns of the incredible history of the whitetail. Over a century of unregulated hunting, including market hunting meant to fuel the taste for wild game of a rapidly growing nation, by the turn of the twentieth century, the familiar whitetail was on a path to extinction. Some estimates put their decline by the end of the 1800s at 99% or more from historic populations. It is hard to imagine that there was a time when only an estimated 300,000 deer remained in North America.

It is a familiar story that was paralleled in many of our most iconic wildlife species. In the early 1900s, however, thanks to new laws, regulations, and other efforts by conservationists, deer numbers began to rebound. Today it is estimated that there are over five million deer in Texas alone, and many put the current U.S. population even higher than it was prior to European settlement!

This is where the hope comes in. In a time where the outlook for so many species and natural communities seems so bleak, there are still plenty of successes to celebrate. Species like white-tailed deer, American alligators, and Bald Eagles have been brought back from the brink. Efforts by local, national, and international conservation groups continue to protect land and habitat. And while much has been lost, there is still much to gain in the coming years.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you will join me over the next several days for a closer look into the world of the noble whitetail.

Culebra de liga de las marítima / Maritime garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis pallidulus)

English below:

🐍 Características principales de la Culebra de liga marítima (Thamnophis sirtalis pallidulus)

🔍 Características físicas

- Coloración: Marrón, verde oscuro o negro, con tres franjas amarillas distintivas: una dorsal (en la espalda) y dos laterales.

- Patrones: Muchos ejemplares presentan manchas o cuadros blancos, marrones o negros a lo largo del cuerpo.

- Melanismo: Algunos individuos pueden ser parcial o completamente negros.

- Tamaño:

- Crías: Alrededor de 10 cm al nacer.

- Machos adultos: 40–60 cm.

- Hembras adultas: 40–90 cm, pudiendo alcanzar hasta 1 metro.

🌍 Hábitat y distribución

- Presente en Quebec, Nueva Escocia, Nuevo Brunswick, Isla del Príncipe Eduardo y partes de Nueva Inglaterra.

- Habita en bosques, humedales, costas, campos, zonas rocosas y áreas urbanas.

- Se refugia bajo rocas, troncos o estructuras humanas y hiberna en grupo bajo el nivel de congelación.

️ Alimentación

- Juveniles: Se alimentan de lombrices de tierra y salamandras de espalda roja.

- Adultos: Consumen peces pequeños, ranas, sapos, renacuajos, salamandras y roedores.

🐣 Reproducción y ciclo de vida

- Apareamiento: En primavera, tras salir de la hibernación.

- Parto: Las hembras dan a luz entre 5 y 50 crías vivas entre agosto y mediados de septiembre.

- Madurez: Alcanzan la madurez en 2–3 años y pueden vivir hasta 20 años.

⚠️ Amenazas y conservación

- Mortalidad por atropello cerca de zonas urbanas.

- Pérdida de hábitat, aunque es una especie muy adaptable.

- Estado de conservación: Preocupación menor.

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The Maritime garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis pallidulus) is a non-venomous, highly adaptable subspecies of the common garter snake, known for its variable coloration and three distinctive yellow stripes.

🐍 Physical Characteristics

- Coloration: Typically brown, dark green, or black with three yellow stripes—one dorsal (along the back) and two lateral (along the sides).

- Patterning: Many individuals have white, brown, or black checkered or speckled patterns along the back.

- Melanism: Rarely, some snakes may appear partially or completely black due to melanism.

- Size:

- Young: Around 10 cm at birth

- Adult males: 40–60 cm

- Adult females: 40–90 cm

- Some individuals can grow to nearly 1 meter in length.

🌎 Habitat and Distribution

- Found throughout Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, as well as parts of New England.

- Thrives in forests, wetlands, shorelines, fields, rocky areas, and even urban environments.

- Often shelters under rocks, logs, or human-made structures, and overwinters communally below the frost line.

️ Diet

- Young snakes feed on earthworms and red-backed salamanders.

- Adults consume a variety of prey including small fish, frogs, toads, tadpoles, salamanders, and rodents.

🐣 Reproduction and Life Cycle

- Breeding occurs in spring, shortly after emerging from hibernation.

- Females give birth to 5–50 live young between August and mid-September.

- Maturity is reached in 2–3 years, and they can live up to 20 years.

⚠️ Threats and Conservation

- Road mortality is a major threat near urban areas.

- Habitat loss poses risks, though this species is highly adaptable to moderate human disturbance.

- Conservation status: Least Concern

AI-enhanced caption.

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The Dobson Trail is a hiking-only section of the Trans Canada Trail that stretches 58 kilometres from Riverview to the northern boundary of Fundy National Park, near Alma. The official Riverview trailhead is located off of the Pine Glen Road (across from the Cross Creek mini home community).

Garter-Snake_DobsonTrail-9788

The palm squirrel, also known as the common Indian squirrel, is a small and agile rodent that is found throughout India and other parts of South Asia. These squirrels are typically brown or grey in color, with a long and bushy tail. They are known for their energetic and lively nature, often seen scampering and leaping from tree to tree with amazing agility. Palm squirrels are social animals and are frequently seen in pairs or small family groups. They have a varied diet consisting of nuts, fruits, seeds, and insects, and are known to be quite adaptable and resilient creatures.

DarreIl Yetman, a cancer survivor and Coordinator for Prostate Cancer Awareness at the Canadian Cancer Society in NL, made this comment about the dandelion, "I have always said that the dandelion is my favourite flower. Very useful, eager to be one of the first and brightest in the spring, and extremely determined and adaptable under the most difficult circumstances. We could all learn so much from the humble dandelion." I love the plant, too. Its perfect deep yellow face and soft velvet petals bring great joy. Here is a link to its food and medicinal qualities: www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/dandelion-000236.htm#ixzz1sai...

The quote and commentary is from my good flickr contact Margaret Ayad of Baccalieu Consulting,

Bay Roberts, Newfoundland and Labrador.

baccalieu.wordpress.com

Ravens in Fuerteventura are a common sight, particularly in the mountainous and arid regions of the island. These birds are known for their intelligence, adaptability, and close interactions with humans, often scavenging near picnic areas or viewpoints. They play an important role in the island’s ecosystem by feeding on carrion, insects, and small animals while also being a notable part of local wildlife.

This is the little White-Rumped Munia - Lonchura striata - which is also known as the Striated Finch, Sharp-Tailed Finch, White-Backed Finch, Bengalese Finch, Striated Mannikin, Hodgson’s Munia, Sharp-Tailed Munia, Sharp-Tailed Mannikin, and the White-Backed Munia or Mannikin, although, strangely enough, apart from the white in its rump and underparts there are no other white feathers on this beautiful little bird. At only 10-11cm in length, it belongs to the family of waxbill "finches" and is common and widespread throughout Southeast Asia. A seed eating bird, as the large bill suggests, it is very adaptable, residing in scrubland, open woodland, grassland, and agricultural lands wherever there is food and will form large flocks which can become quite a nuisance to farmers as they feed voraciously on his hard won crops. Interestingly, they have been seen feeding on algae where it is thought they get mineral supplements from. This one was seen in Goa, India as we were walking along a road near Cavelossim.

This Picture is fully © Copyrighted.

None of my images may be copied, reproduced or altered in any form or manner or placed on the internet or any other social media, or in any form of publication either print or otherwise, in any form or manner without my written permission.

A large black bird with hints of iridescent purple and green, a beautiful long tail spouting wide ranges of complex sounds. Sounds great, right? Well, these Great-tailed Grackles are sometimes called "Devil Birds" as well. They are quite invasive, causing damage and are highly adaptable. They have been expanding their range for many years now in California. Originally from South and Central America. We first saw them in Texas where their population is MASSIVE!!

The group here has been doing quite well. I didn't count them when I initially saw them a few years ago but not that many. Yesterday, I had a conservative count of 40...probably much more than that.

Southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora, is an aristocratic tree. It grows well in the Southern United States, it's widely adaptable to a variety of soils and has few pest problems. With glossy evergreen foliage and large white fragrant blossoms, it truly is one of the most handsome and durable native trees for our Southern landscapes.

This is the flower as a bud after a shower, taken in evening light. A macro for Monday. ^_^

North Antrim, February 2023. A common and widespread species throughout Ireland.

Until relatively recently they were considered the same species as the Carrion Crow, though hybridisation does occur between them. Hoodies are very intelligent and adaptable. Some recent studies have shown their ability to solve problems and to make and use tools are a on par with some great apes.

Primarily a bird of the southeast, where its rolling calls are familiar sounds in swamps and riverside woods. Omnivorous and adaptable, this woodpecker has also adjusted to life in suburbs and city parks, and in recent years it has been expanding its range to the north. Despite the name, the red on the belly is not often visible in the field.

This bird is often identified as a "red-headed woodpecker" which is erroneous.

The Hawker Sea Fury was a British fighter aircraft developed in the late 1940s. It was primarily used by the Royal Navy and other navies as a carrier-based fighter-bomber. The Sea Fury was a single-seat, single-engine aircraft known for its exceptional speed, agility, and firepower.

Designed by Hawker Aircraft, the Sea Fury was powered by a Bristol Centaurus radial engine, which provided it with impressive performance. It had a top speed of over 450 mph (725 km/h) and was armed with four 20mm cannons and the ability to carry various bombs, rockets, or fuel tanks.

The Sea Fury saw limited combat service during the Korean War, where it achieved success in air-to-air combat against enemy aircraft. It also performed ground attack missions, striking targets with its weapons payload.

Known for its robust construction and adaptability, the Sea Fury was considered one of the fastest piston-engine fighters of its time. It made a significant contribution to naval aviation, serving as an effective carrier-based fighter-bomber for several years.

Now at the main store and Marketplace.

@

Thalia Heckroth

@

Marketplace

The Block Heel Loafer Pumps reinterpret a classic shape with precision and quiet sophistication. Designed with a structured silhouette and refined detailing, they balance strength and softness in equal measure.

Compatible with LaraX, Legacy and Reborn mesh bodies.

PBR viewers will automatically display PBR textures, while others will render non-PBR for seamless adaptability.

Primarily a bird of the southeast, where its rolling calls are familiar sounds in swamps and riverside woods. Omnivorous and adaptable, this woodpecker has also adjusted to life in suburbs and city parks, and in recent years it has been expanding its range to the north. Despite the name, the red on the belly is not often visible in the field.

Canon EOS 90D camera

150-600mm F5-6.3 Sigma DG OS HSM | Contemporary

1/1000 f6.3 ISO4000 600mm

The Longfellow Garden

Portland, Maine

2021

Photo taken with a Pentax K1000 SE and Chinon 45mm F2.8 using Kodak Ultramax 400 color print film.

The Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vc, Hawker Hurricane I, and Gloster Gladiator I represent key stages in British fighter development during WWII, each contributing uniquely to the war effort.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vc

Introduced in 1941, the Spitfire Mk Vc featured a versatile “C-type” wing for various armament options and was powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. Its adaptability and speed ensured effectiveness across multiple theatres, particularly over Malta and North Africa, cementing its iconic status.

Hawker Hurricane I

The Hurricane I, operational from 1937, was the workhorse of the Battle of Britain—tough, repairable, and armed with eight machine guns. While often overshadowed by the Spitfire, it destroyed more enemy aircraft during the battle and served in diverse roles and environments worldwide.

Gloster Gladiator I

Britain’s last biplane fighter, the Gladiator I, entered service just before WWII. Though soon outclassed by monoplanes, it proved agile in early war actions, notably in Malta, and became legendary for its resilience.

Legacy

Together, these aircraft highlight the technological progress and courage of RAF pilots in WWII. From biplane to advanced monoplane, their combined histories reflect the innovation and spirit that defined Britain’s aerial defence.

“The crowned lapwing (Vanellus coronatus), or crowned plover, is a bird of the lapwing subfamily that occurs contiguously from the Red Sea coast of Somalia to southern and southwestern Africa. It is an adaptable and numerous species, with bold and noisy habits”.

Wikipedia

A Western Ghats endemic that has spread due to its adaptability to human altered landscapes. Photographed in Thattekhad, Kerala, India.

'Binoculer vision'. The Buzzard, Buteo buteo has amazing vision...it scans the landscape for traces of movement that betray the presence of rabbits, voles or mice. Its eyes are more forward facing than most birds’ and, like humans, it has binocular vision. But it can also create a telephoto optical system that detects and follows movement that would seem a blur to us...Hunting on a mountainside on The Isle of Mull.

The buzzard has amazing vision...it scans the landscape for traces of movement that betray the presence of rabbits, voles or mice. Its eyes are more forward facing than most birds’ and, like humans, it has binocular vision. But it can also create a telephoto optical system that detects and follows movement that would seem a blur to us.

Many thanks for visiting my Flickr pages ...Your visits, interest, comments and kindness to 'fave' my photos is very much appreciated, Steve.

Buzzard

Among the more unusual items recorded as being killed and eaten are puffins, frogs and dung beetles.

However, a hungry buzzard is quite capable of killing a wide variety of prey, ranging from rabbits to birds up to the size of a wood pigeon, but any larger prey tackled was probably already sick.

Numbers are greatest where the fields are smallest, as it favours abundant hedgerows and small woods.

Despite its impressive size, the buzzard is not a major predator, preferring a diet of carrion and earthworms.

It is thought that the buzzard is now our commonest bird of prey, pushing the kestrel into second place.

For the first time for 200 years they now breed in every county in England, Wales and Scotland.

While British buzzards are largely resident, many northern populations are highly migratory, many moving to Africa during the northern winter.

Once restricted largely to the west and north of mainland Britain, the last 15 years have seen a remarkable expansion of these birds to the east.

It doesn't like hot or arid areas either, so in Eastern Europe the long-legged buzzard replaces it.

Though the buzzard can tolerate areas of high rainfall, it prefers temperate climates, so is scarce or absent in the far north of Europe, where the rough-legged buzzard takes its place.

Each pair will have as many as 21 potential nest sites, usually changing to a fresh site every year.

Buzzards build their own nest, and they have a curious habit of decorating it with fresh green foliage.

Though most buzzards nest in trees, rocky crags or cliffs are also used.

This is a very adaptable species, able to survive in a wide variety of habitats from lowland farms to high mountains. Its main requirement is a tree at least 20ft high in which to nest.

Buzzards breed in every European country except Iceland, but are absent from some offshore island groups, including the Balearics.

It is because of its highly variable plumage that the French call it the buse (buzzard) variable.

Buzzards have remarkably variable plumage. Most individuals are brown and heavily marked, but some are almost white.

Buzzards have never been popular with falconers, as they tend to be far too lazy to be taught to fly at live quarry.

In the USA, the word buzzard is often used to describe the native turkey vultures. The two species are not related.

In Scotland, many tourists hoping to see an eagle mistake buzzards for their quarry. Any big bird of prey sitting on a telegraph pole is most likely a buzzard.

The buzzard's enthusiasm for eating carrion makes it especially vulnerable to poison baits, often put out to kill other predators such as foxes, living with birds notes.

Throughout autumn and winter hundreds of thousands of Starlings come together in the city of Rome to give rise to one of the most stunning spectacles of nature. During the day they feed in the countryside where food from olive trees is plentiful. As the sun goes down they get back together, flying over the city before roosting. This is just a tiny fraction of their murmuration.

"In ancient Rome Roman augurs, or diviners, scrutinized these patterns for signs of how the gods were feeling that day. Divination was crucial for major decision-making: if there was a key battle in the offing or political intrigue brewing, the augurs looked to the skies. “Taking the auspices,” it was called – to see if the gods gave, or withheld, their approval.

Some flock patterns offered more auspicious signs or omens than others. From time to time, it may have seemed like the future of Rome itself hung on the correct reading of the movements of these very common but highly adaptable birds."

Pu`u O Kila

Koke`e, Kaua`i

This one has a recently captured insect larva. On this day it was also taking nectar from the yellow curved flower seen in the background (Scaevola glabra). It doesn't have the long curved bill needed to feed on the flower as does the endemic `I`iwi, but it has learned to make a hole at the base of the flower and rob the nectar. It may have learned this from the `Amakihi which routinely does this to lobelias. The Mejiro is not native to Hawai`i. It was introduced to the islands in the early 1900s along with many other foreign birds. It is a very adaptable bird that can be seen from dry desert-like conditions on leeward coasts to the wettest high mountain forests.

Der "Garden of Vulcan" ist ein Gartenkabinett, geschaffen vom britischen Landschaftsarchitekten Tom Stuart-Smith, in dem sich die Vegetation nach dem Ausbringen von Sämereien selbst organisieren sollte. Im Lauf der Jahre wurde der Pflanzenteppich immer üppiger. "Zuerst wachsen Pflanzen, die flexibel und anpassungsfähig sind. Später kommen die Bäume, in deren Schatten sich Tiere ansiedeln können. Die Tiere erschaffen ein Netz aus Schneisen in die neue, üppige Vegetation. Erst dann entstehen die Hütten.

So beschreibt der englische Landschaftsarchitekt Tom Stuart-Smith den Vegetations- und Besiedelungsprozess der Erde. Doch natürlich konnte der Mensch sich der Landschaft nicht ohne fremde Hilfe bemächtigen: Ihm half der römische Gott Vulcanus, dessen Geschichte der Gestaltung des Gartens zugrunde liegt." Diese, von mir allerdings stark gekürzte, Beschreibung findet sich auf der Homepage der Gärten der Welt.

www.gaertenderwelt.de/gaerten-architektur/internationale-...

"The Garden of Vulcan" is a garden cabinet created by the British landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, in which the vegetation was supposed to organise itself after sowing seeds. Over the years, the plant carpet became increasingly lush. "First, plants grow that are flexible and adaptable. Later, trees grow and animals can live in their shade. The animals create a network of trails in the new, lush vegetation. Only then do huts appear.

English landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith describes the vegetation and colonisation process of the earth. Of course, man could not take over the landscape without outside help: He was helped by the Roman god Vulcan, whose history provides the design concept of the garden. Immerse yourself in the world of mythical fire and experience an extraordinary abundance of flowers of all colours." This description, though greatly abridged by me, comes from the homepage of the Gardens of the World.

www.gaertenderwelt.de/en/gardens-architecture/internation...

Yes they are nature too ! They are real survivors with everything out to get them, including humans of course.

Their intelligence and adaptability is to be admired. Average life expectancy for a rat is less than 2 years.

Thanks for having a look at my photos.

A bevy of swans, many of them not fully grown yet, were swimming in the Stormwater Management Facility, photographed as I walked over the observation bridge in Humber Bay Park East, Toronto.

"Swans embody elegance, beauty and sophistication and are certainly visually impressive enough to match their royal reputation. In addition to their elegant visual appearance, swans are intelligent, strong and adaptable birds with tremendous flying stamina. They are also gregarious birds, and different species of swans are often seen flocking together as one."

Best seen large by clicking on the photo. Thanks for visiting, enjoy each day.

I designed this fighter to be reminiscent of the arc-170, though in the lore it would fulfill a closer roll to the BTL Y-wing. A hyperspace capable heavy star-fighter/bomber meant to go up against capital ships and not get involved in dogfights with other fighters. Though able to hold it’s own and considered quite versatile with it’s interchangeable hard points making it adaptable to various mission profiles.

My mothers grandmothers old pendant.

My grandmother Ellen would marry my grandfather AL Collins and together with their remarkable energy and intelligence would continue both their families traditions of breeding high quality sheep and developed a breed of merino sheep that was extremely tough and adaptable and this breed would would be named in my grandfather's families honor and exported around the world including South America, South Africa, South America, China, Russia and the USA and you can still see their breeding in to days modern merino sheep when I see photos of some sheep from these parts of the world.

At the time people in many other merino studs thought it was all good marketing and tradition.

Today we can look at the density of the woolen follicles in the skin and measure the consistency of the wools micron over the body. We can now see that it was a well bred breed of sheep that can now be proven with science to be a special breed of merino.

Today with micron and follicle density measurements available plus many other traits to select for we can use computers to help breed your sheep.

It is not as hard to do technically now as we understand the genetics involved so in theory any country science program or committed individual should be able to breed a very good meat and wool sheep.

It was believed my grandfather and his stud masters new all the 14000 stud ewes in their breeding program as individuals.

My grandmother was incredible at entertaining guests that would visit from around Australia and the world and was renowned for her hospitality.

I find it humbling to see the tough and simple luxuries our forebears treasured.

My mother fondly remembers her grandmother wearing this simple jewelry as a little girl when visiting her grandmother as a young girl in rural South Australia.

Macro Mondays "Vintage"

Vivitar 105mm f2.5 at f2.5 PB190401

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Homage to Lynn Whipple. This multimedia artist has a wide range of work. Some images have a vintage feel and are small scale, others, such as her flower works, have exuberant colour and large scale.

Whipple works in layers, and I found some of her techniques surprisingly adaptable to photoshop techniques. I found her work extremely inspiring.

In the autumnal woodland, a Great Tit is a busy and adaptable bird, its behavior shifting to focus on survival for the coming winter. It joins with other small birds in mixed flocks to forage for insects, seeds, and berries, and it also hoards food in hidden caches.

After the Rain, Summer Morning, Rocky Mountain Front Range, Colorado. There are about 17,000 known species of lichens worldwide. They are comprised of fungi (mostly 16 orders of ascomycetes). Bryophytes from algae or cyanobacteria, living among filaments of multiple fungi - living in a symbiotic relationship. They can survive long, dry periods and can resist high and low temperatures.

Types of Lichen Structures:

Squamalose - flat leaf-like, scales

Foliose - flakes on surface, like peeling paint

Crustose - powder-like, leprose

The blue tit’s favoured habitat is broad-leaved woodland, but is sufficiently adaptable to be abundant in a variety of other habitats, including gardens.More than 2.5 million have been ringed in Britain and Ireland.The males are more brightly coloured than the females but this can be difficult to tell unless they are in a pair.

Le Cygne noir est un oiseau répandu, capable de vivre dans presque tous les milieux humides. Lors de la saison de nidification, on le trouve surtout sur les grands lacs peu profonds, ou à proximité. Le reste de l'année, il fréquente aussi de petits étangs stagnants isolés, des baies abritées ou des lagunes côtières saumâtres. Le Cygne noir est nomade et doté d'un vol puissant. Il peut aisément survoler les terres et sait faire étape sur les lacs ou les zones de culture inondées. Toutefois, là où la nourriture et les sites de nidification sont abondants, le Cygne noir se montre casanier. Comptant parmi les oiseaux aquatiques pourvus des meilleurs capacités d'adaptation, le Cygne noir recherche d'ordinaire des plans d'eau peu profonds où sa morphologie lui permet de se nourrir commodément.

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The Black Swan is a widespread bird, able to live in almost any wetland. During the nesting season, it is found mainly on or near large shallow lakes. The rest of the year, it also frequents small isolated stagnant ponds, sheltered bays or brackish coastal lagoons. The Black Swan is nomadic and has a powerful flight. It can easily fly over land and knows how to step on lakes or flooded farming areas. However, where food and nesting sites are abundant, the Black Swan is homebody. As one of the most adaptable waterbirds, the Black Swan usually looks for shallow water bodies where its morphology allows it to feed comfortably.

L'objectif Artisan 100 mm f / 2,8 plein format Bubble Bokeh pour les boîtiers à monture M42 (et adaptable aux boîtiers sans miroir plein format) monté sur mon Nikon D3X avec une bague d'adaptation !

Remarque : il peut être monté sur tous les appareils photo sans miroir, tels que Sony E, Canon RF, Fuji X, Nikon Z, etc. Il peut également être monté sur les appareils photo Leica M, SLR Nikon F et Canon EF, mais il faut acheter un adaptateur supplémentaire pour le faire.

Une bonne surprise, j’ai acheté cet objectif “neuf” au prix de 149,00 € 😗

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The Artisan 100mm f/2.8 full frame Bubble Bokeh lens for M42 mount cameras (and adaptable to full frame mirrorless bodies) mounted on my Nikon D3X !

Note: It can be mounted on all mirrorless cameras, such as Sony E, Canon RF, Fuji X, Nikon Z, etc. It can also be mounted on Leica M, Nikon F SLR and Canon EF cameras, but you need to purchase an additional adapter to do so !

A good surprise, I bought this new camera lens

for € 149.00 😗